British politics as a two-party system?

Sciences politiques | 2 pages | 05-03-2006 | Format : | Note : Non noté

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Résumé

Britain has long been described as the ideal two-part system. The birth of the modern political parties in the UK dates back to the late 19th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, Whigs and Tories had been known for 150 years, but they had no political signification outside Westminster. Modern parties were born with the enlargement of franchise. The Liberals were the first to structure into a modern party at their 1867 Birmingham caucus. In 1899, with the Labour Representation Committee, a third party was born. From 1922 to 1935, Britain was a three-party system, with coalitions and minority governments. 6 general elections, 9 governments, including 4 coalitions and two minority governments in 13 years. Made Britain look like France! But the Liberals were then not seen as very different from the Conservatives and were undermined by divisions. Plus, with the FPTP system, the third party is automatically underrepresented. After the war, return two the two-party system. The Conservatives, natural party of government. Now Labour?

But, the Libdems are still here, with 52 MPs at Westminster, and since the 70s Britain has seen the rise of regionalist party, like Plaid Cymru, and the Scottish National Party. So can Britain still be described as a two-party system?

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